Looking to hire a script writer?

Even the best ideas fall flat without strong structure and storytelling, GREAT CHARACTERS AND DIALOGUE LOADED WITH ACTION. That’s why I love what I do.

I work with:

  • Production companies and commissioners looking to originate or develop new work.

  • Brands and causes who need scripted content that connects with audiences.

  • People with a story to tell who want help shaping it into a compelling script.

I bring 20+ years of experience as a scriptwriting across theatre, TV, audio, film, and campaigns. Helping every project find the form, structure, characters, dialogue, and flow that makes it land. Whether you have a story idea but don’t know where to begin, are a production company or commissioner looking to invest and develop ideas, or a brand or cause looking for content that’s slicker than your average… welcome. I’m your experienced script writer ready to originate or enhance new projects.

Let’s collaborate on your script

Schedule a free call

What does a scriptwriter do?

The reason I developed this creative studio is to nurture original project commissions and to provide the resources others need to get their ideas moving. Whether you’re a commissioner, a brand, or an individual with a story, the role of the scriptwriter is the same, to make sure your story lands.

SO, WHAT KIND OF SCRIPTWRITER DO YOU NEED?

PEOPLE WITH A STORY TO TELL

If you’re new to writing or have an idea you want to turn into a script, I offer pathways to help you get there. The process is about developing your idea with the support of a professional scriptwriter, in a way that feels manageable and paced. Payment plans are available. What matters is that you feel your story has the chance to grow into a script you can be proud of.

FOR BRANDS & CAUSES & CONTENT CREATORS

Whether it’s a campaign film, a series for YouTube, or a piece of branded storytelling, I bring the same focus on storytelling structure, clarity and rhythm that I use in theatre and television. The result is content that is entertaining, purposeful and human. I make it straightforward to brief, collaborate and deliver. I offer day, project and retainer rates.

FOR COMMISSIONERS & PRODUCTION COMPANIES

I originate ideas, develop treatments, and write performance-ready scripts that can hold their own through workshops, table reads and production. I’m comfortable coming in at any stage of development, from the earliest seed of an idea to a late-stage draft that needs tightening. I work on a project commission basis subject to discuss. I can also assemble teams to get projects into production. 

What CAN YOU HIRE A SCRIPT WRITER TO help you with?

You can hire a scriptwriter to develop any idea that involves characters and a story. The projects I personally write and develop include:

  • Television and film

    Comedy, drama, and documentary screenplays for series, feature films, and one-off programmes.

  • Theatre

    Plays and musical theatre librettos in comedy, drama, and adaptation.

  • Audio

    Scripted podcasts and radio plays across comedy, drama, and documentary

  • Short-form video

    YouTube, corporate, branded, and cause-led campaign scripts in comedy, drama, and documentary styles

If your project requires a genre or form beyond those listed, I can facilitate partnerships and build teams of trusted collaborators to support more specialised or niche areas.

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I know how daunting it is to take a script from idea to blank page to production. It can feel impossible. That’s why I’ve crafted process to meet your project where it is, and deliver the creative resources it needs to get to where it needs to go next. Every project is different, but the process is almost always the same. 

How i work

Discover

Neon megaphone graphic hire a copywriter UK freelance Doug Crossley

Get in touch with me via the contact page, or scroll down to book book a free call. We’ll talk through your idea or project, work out what you need, and agree the scope. After that, I’ll send you a clear proposal with fees and timelines. Once you’re happy and the first payment is made (payment plans are available), we get started. At every point of review we’ll have a meeting to check-in and discuss next steps. 

Define

neon fountain pen graphic hire a copywriter UK freelance Doug Crossley

This is where the writing happens. I take the brief we agreed and turn it into a working script. That usually means a treatment or outline first, followed by a full draft. At this stage, structure, pacing, and dialogue are all in play, and the script starts to feel like it could be performed, filmed, or recorded. The deliverable here is a first draft, shaped to the needs of your project and ready for feedback.

Refine

neon magnifying glass graphic hire a copywriter UK freelance Doug Crossley

We’ll go through two further rounds of revisions as standard. This is where we fine-tune, cut what doesn’t serve the story, and polish what does. The process flexes depending on the commission: quick turnaround for brand work, more in-depth development for TV, theatre or film, and step-by-step pacing for individuals bringing an idea to life.

How much does it cost to hire a scriptwriter?

Every script is different, so I offer pricing based on scope and complexity. See below for an indication of fees.

People with a story to tell
The entry level to turn your idea into a script start at £495. See my
writer coaching service. Full scripted projects will be set in line with industry standards and I can scale and sequence projects to match payments with deliverables.

Brands & causes
Short-form scriptwriting starts at £395. Longer projects and retainers priced to scope.

Commissioners & production companies
Commission-based fees, set in line with scope and industry standards.

I also provide coaching if you want support in turning your idea into a script. To find out if you’d benefit from writer coaching, click here.

Let’s collaborate on your script

Schedule a free call

Or write to me about your project, click here.

Press

  • “There’s a sweet sort of sadness to this one, it is the sense of pathos amidst the daftness that gives this story an edge.”

    BAFTA Rocliffe Jury on my winning entry

  • "a thoughtful, subtle exploration of how to present trauma and grief on stage; an audience giving a moment of time and finding a little glimmer of beauty within."

    — Tim Bano, The Stage

  • “...clever concept musical, featuring interrelated stories... the best episodes are written by Freya Slipper or Doug Crossley... ”

    — Patricia Nicol, Sunday Times Culture

  • “Echoes of Edward Bond and Joe Orton... an excellent, thought-provoking piece of theatre”

    — British Theatre Guide

  • "brutal and funny in turns with a burning, plangent heart”

    Alexi Kay Campbell

When you want to hire a scriptwriter

Finding the right person takes time and effort. You need someone who understands structure, storytelling, and what makes a script land. I know how important it is to get it right, not just on the page, but how it feels, flows, and connects with an audience. That’s why I only ever work on a select number of scriptwriting projects at any given time, because I like to provide them with the time and creative space that they need. If what you’ve read here resonates with you, or if you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s have a conversation, see if we have that creative chemistry, and figure out what your project needs.

Frequently asked questions

  • A screenplay writer develops scripts for projects that are ultimately meant for the screen. At its core, their job is to translate story, character, and action into a cinematic format—crafting dialogue, structuring scenes, and shaping the flow of a narrative. They might work from an existing story or develop something original, ensuring that characters are built through action that works visually. Beyond the script itself, a screenplay writer is often involved in developing treatments, pitch decks, and story bibles to help bring a project to life.

  • My personal sweet spot is work that asks, is that tragically sad or really funny? I love to imbue scripted projects with rich characters, authentic dialogue, and intelligent story development and structure. That’s true whether you want pure comedy, stand-alone drama, or that magic that happens when you blur the line between the two. In my experience, though, no genre of film wouldn’t benefit from strong story structure, and characters being rooted in their humanity and humour. So, if your project intrigues me, it’s likely I will want to help you write it as well as it can be written.

  • Yes, it’s a one-to-one course tailored to your needs. I also offer script consultancy and feedback sessions. The best way to find out more is to drop me a message and let me know where you’re at, and we can talk about how I can help you.

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